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http://www.autozone.com/brakes...

That's $100 for two front brake rotors for a '07 Impala. Brand new, no machining needed. Brake rotors are an utterly simple thing to replace. Machining is not, of course, but at these prices you don't need to (and machining removes material anyway, if the rotor is already worn you might as well just replace it).

The slide hammer is but one part of the tool, which is universal. If you go to the tool store and ask for a slide hammer, you get this, which is not a dent puller. A dent puller is this. Both of those contain slide hammers, but if you used the first item, I would imagine it would be easier to beat the column to death with the bare hammer as the screw-like attachment you need for the lock cylinder is in the other box. None of those slide hammer attachments would work.

*sigh*

Well then, it must be my imagination , huh?

You could have replaced the ignition cylinder and then pretty much stopped there. You would have to have two keys then, one for the door and one for the ignition. Sure its an extra key but I bet you already have a number of them on your key ring. Programing the key can probably be done yourself. In fact the ignition cylinder usually isn't that hard to replace yourself either.
How to program the key: (No special equipment needed)
http://mcguirelocksmith.com/ho...
Replace the Cylinder instructions:
http://www.autozone.com/autozo...
Cost of entire fix is 30 dollars, and maybe two hours of your time. The longest part is the programing which looks to take about 45 minutes.
Now how much do you think it will cost to troubleshoot and fix push button system? At least three hours labor is my guess, and probably 200 in parts. So close to 500 bucks at a minimum? Give me the cylinder lock I can replace in the parts store parking lot for the win.

Dealers stock parts and provide a distribution network for said parts. This is why my '94 Honda Accord still runs

As someone who has spent quite a bit of time keeping older cars on the road, I feel compelled to ask: what in the WORLD are you talking about?

Check out what Autozone calls them:
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/Drivetrain/_/N-6q74v
Down at the end of the C's, there's "CV axle"

About the only difference is that OS X on the iPhone does not have AppKit or Autozone.

Great, where the hell am I gonna get auto parts then?

Cars manufactured after 1996 have OBD-II (On Board Diagnostics). You can get a code reader/clearer for about $130 IIRC. Your local auto parts or tool store can get you more info. There are more exotic solutions out there that will do more if you're willing to spend big$, but I don't use those.

Here's a link to a basic tool similar to the one I use: http://www.autozone.com/R,904174/store,2366/shopping/accessoryProductDetail.htm

Also, a lot of auto parts stores will read your codes for free.

So... wait. Darl McBride is still running SCO? I had gotten the impression there was some kind of major management shakeup at SCO in the last year. But Darl McBride is still running it? It seems he's been awfully quiet lately. What did I miss, exactly?

Anyway, once again we see here that SCO's purpose is only in attacking Linux, not in promoting themselves or building anything else constructive. This PR may do negative things for Linux, but it won't do anything positive for SCO. Because if you're going to use a UNIX, why on earth would you use SCO's? SCO UNIX was almost univerally known as the worst of the bunch among the tiny fraction of us who had heard of them before they became the anti-linux attack dog, and the company's future viability seems entirely dependent on the successful completion of some incredibly dubious lawsuits-- meaning you may find yourself without a vendor in a year or so. And anyway, why on earth would you want to buy software from a company who is so incredibly enthusiastic about suing its own customers?

or you could just go to AutoZone and have them plug in an OBDII diagnostic reader for free and not have to play with your key or wear out your starter. Plus, it'll give you a text readout right there in plain english.

Much simpler.

They'll clear out the CEL, too.

Hi!

What is Microsoft doing?
Microsoft is shifting more and more of their revenue stream to server products. There are only so many features you can stuff into Word, and let's face it, OpenOffice is perfectly suitable for most office workers. Microsoft is also pushing hard to have third-party software (and hardware) vendors embed Microsoft components in their software. We're in the Microsoft ISV program--and I have spent time with the corporate legal staff discussing whether or not Microsoft will indemnify us against any claim for IP infringement. This announcement clears the issue up--they will.

What's the big deal?
I work for a company that makes lighting controls. We make the dimmer in your dining room--but we also make control systems for very large projects, such as Lincoln Financial Field (home of the Philadelphia Eagles). We provide Windows-based control software (among lots of other things)--it would be a serious issue if a vendor to Microsoft sued us for infringement based on Microsoft's code. That's exactly what SCO did to AutoZone. SCO didn't contend that AutoZone intentionally infringed--they alleged that AutoZone was using an app developed by IBM that infringed. Nonetheless, AutoZone lands in court in an IP infringement case. Microsoft's indemnification effectively means that if somebody sues us on the same kind of claim, we don't have to worry. Microsoft will defend the case, bankrupt the attorneys, crush the plaintiffs, reduce their homes to rubble, enslave their children, and--and ruin their self-esteem!. We won't have to be involved at all. 8-)

From our perspective, that's a good thing.

But doesn't this portend an onslaught of Microsoft attorneys arrayed against the forces of Open Source? Isn't the battle of Armageddon nigh?
No. This simply means that Microsoft is telling vendors that embed Microsoft products that they do not have to worry about getting caught up in an IP infringement case. That's all.

There's been a whole host of developments in the ongoing SCO saga over the past couple of days. SCO have now filed law suits against Autozone and DaimlerChrysler on the same day as announcing growing operating losses. Despite securing a deal to license their IP with ev1servers, SCOsource only generated an income of $20,000 for the quarter. Today it has been revealed that Computer Associates, Questar Corp. and manufacturer Leggett & Platt Inc have all joined the ranks of SCO source licensees. Over at the Nasdaq the publicity stunts are beginning to wane thin with investors who sent SCO shares plummeting by almost 14% yesterday. In the courtroom, SCO was yesterday given 45 days to identify all specific lines of code they allege IBM put into Linux from AIX or Dynix; identify and provide with specificity all lines of code in Linux that it claims rights to.

Autozone already has this covered. Over the last few years, they've been setting up Legal Defense Fund establishments all over the country. You can actually go into one of these LDF drop-off points, and give the nice people there some money. They will even give you one or more prizes in return! And if you really want, you can choose the actual prize, instead of just hoping for something good. These LDF dropoff points are in most major cities, and some small ones. Easily identified with the word AutoZone in large letters on the front of the building, usually in red neon.

They even have a website where you can do the same thing. Send in some money, help Autozone defeat the evil SCO, get a free prize to boot!

Donate your $$ today!

As a symbolic gesture, I suggest people go to AutoZone and buy an air freshener.. Symbolically, it'll help clear out the stink that SCO's making. Total cost to you: $1-$3.

Put your money where your mouth is: AutoZone Reigonal Store Locator

Even if SCO succeeds, AutoZone will be able to pay them off via air freshener sales to thoughtful Linux users.

Cheers,

The petroleum and auto industries are sueing Autozone for selling octane boosting products as it is a means of circumventing fuel milage controls implemented in their products.

and I noticed a banner in the window that caught my eye.

This pretty much sums it all up. They offer FREE code retrieval.

Back when I had a Jeep Wrangler, I bought a Haynes service manual that showed me what its codes were. I could easily obtain the error messages through a morse-code system.

To see what the diagnostic computer felt was wrong, you turned the ignition key so that it went off/on/of/on/of/on. After the third and final "on," the check engine light would flash a certain number of times, which corresponded to a specific problem code.

flash - flash - flash
*pause*
flaah - flash - flash

... that would mean 33. 33 stood for Air Conditioning, IIRC. That code would always come back since my Jeep didn't have an A/C unit plugged into the diagnostic box.

Anyways... the Jeep was a '91. I miss it so much.

*tear*

I'm surprised Wal-Mart or some other big retail firm hasn't done something like you suggested: order a product from the web site and a delivery van from the local store drops it off at your door that day. It would be great for people who can't or don't like to leave the house. AutoZone lets you buy parts via the internet for pick up at a local store or will ship them to your house depending if the part is available in the store. They will charge you your local sales tax in either case.